EU election unlikely to put trade in jeopardy, experts say

But vote in France raises concerns deal with Canada won't be ratified

- ROSA SABA

Experts say Canada's trade relationship with the European Union isn't necessarily in jeopardy, but there could be some knock-on effects after far-right parties made major election gains over the weekend.

Millions of voters cast ballots for candidates to serve five-year terms at the legislative branch of the 27-member European Union.

The results were so bad for French President Emmanuel Macron's party that he called a snap election after suffering defeat by the far-right National Rally party. A far-right party in Germany also made gains, and the far-right Freedom Party in Austria saw a narrow win.

Achim Hurrelmann, a political science professor at Carleton University, said the new European Parliament still has a solid centrist majority, and is unlikely to make major moves when it comes to trade agreements.